Entertainment One moved fast amid the opening of Sundance, and on Friday said it had picked up the Canadian rights to the oddball comedy Cold Souls, following talks with Cinetic Media.

The film by first-time director and screenwriter Sophie Barthes stars Paul Giamatti who, playing himself, puts his soul into storage in order to overcome some emotional problems. Unfortunately, the company he hires for the high-tech procedure then lends his soul to a talentless Russian soap-opera actress.

‘The filmmakers have crafted a fiercely original work that will resonate with critics and audiences alike,’ said E1 co-president Bryan Gliserman in a statement. The deal was negotiated by John Hamilton and Richard Rapkowski.

Cold Souls is to make its world premiere on Saturday at Sundance, and was produced by Dan Carey, Elizabeth Giamatti, Paul Mezey, Andrij Parekh and Jeremy Kipp Walker.